Vol. 402 No. 3
71 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Italian Government discussed with other EC Governments its involvement with the pentagonal grouping of Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia in joint economic programmes; and if he considers an EC involvement would be more appropriate than the present arrangements.
The Italian Government has kept its partners in the European Community informed of the progress of the pentagonal grouping since its launch last year. The pentagonal summit held in Venice on 1 August confirmed that the grouping exists to facilitate and accelerate integration in Europe and is complementary to and not in competition with the Community or other international bodies. It will be recalled that extensive arrangements for co-operation between the Community and the four other States involved, including trade or trade and co-operation agreements, already exist. A further intensification of EC relations with each of the states involved is envisaged, either through the negotiation of association agreements or through the creation of an EC-EFTA European Economic Area.
